COVID Close Out Sale

Get a My First 5K medal for your runner for only $4.95 with our COVID Close Out Sale.

COVID Close Out Sale

Like most race directors, I planned for 2020 just like any other year.

Things were going as projected until late March.

Many spring races were postponed or cancelled. Eventually races started going virtual.

Virtual races are catching on but registrations have not returned to normal levels yet.

Since I still have most of my 2020 inventory and the end of 2020 is approaching, I thought I would have a COVID close out sale.

Medals for Virtual Races

Now through the end of the year all My First 5K medals will be on sale for $4.95.

No coupon code is required. Order as many as you need.

My First 5K Medal, COVID close out saleFor 2020 I added the option of having “2020 Finisher” in pink print on the ribbon.

Pink is the color for Breast Cancer Awareness and I thought people running a 5K fundraiser would prefer that color.

A few did sell but I still have plenty left.

5k running medals for first time runnersThe standard white ribbon print is also still available.

These medals and ribbons are identical except for the color of the print.

All medals ship with the red “My First 5K” bib sticker also.

If you already ran your first 5K in 2020 or 2019, 2018 or 2017 you can order just the ribbon for $2.00 including shipping.

The ribbons have a Velcro clasp so they can be added to any medal to designate that medal as a first 5K race medal.

To order a ribbon

My First 5K Medal in frame, zig zag ribbonAn additional benefit of a removable ribbon is that it gives you display options you would not have available with a standard ribbon.

If you are looking to frame a first 5K medal for your runner, I can help with that also.

Medal inlay, display frameThrough the end of 2020, Medal Frames are available for $24.95. I can frame your 5K medal or frame just about any running medal in a great looking frame.

These frames make a great Christmas gift for your runner whether they are a first time 5K runner or have another race they are particularly proud of.

The frames look great in your office or your home office. Start a conversation.

Let me know if you have any questions at info @ omnirunning.com

My First 5K Finishers Medals 2017 in Display Frames

Check out the 2017 My First 5K Medals in display frames.

The 2017 ribbons have a Velcro clasp which allows for many more medal display options.

My First 5K Medal – Zig Zag Ribbon

My First 5K Medal, First 5K Combo, display frame, 5k medals

My First 5K Medal with vertical ribbon display

first 5k display frame, first finishers medal, 5k medal

My First 5k Medal with standard display

my first 5k frame, 5k medal display, 5k medals

Ribbons!

medal ribbons, race ribbons

how it feels to get your first 5k Medal, first 5k

 

We are ready for any summer 5K race that you talked your friend or child into running with you. Don’t you think they deserve a special medal?

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5 Favorite Running Medals

Favorite Running Medals

Favorite running medals can be easy to pick from the pile. One may be your first race or your first Boston Marathon. Some medals look like works of art.

running medals, marathon medalsLooking at and holding a running medal brings a rush of memories for me. Sometimes I can recall conversations or things people said. Often I can recall the struggles and challenges of that race.

Do you have this recall when you look at a medal? I can even remember the smell of BBQ while running through Newton and Wellesley during Boston Marathons. A gel is no substitute for a cheese burger!

Keep Your Memories Strong

Memories tend to fade over time. Even a medal can loose it’s ability to trigger memories.

To form a strong association and keep memories vivid, you should look at your medal soon after a race. Hold the medal in your hands and think about the day, your race and who you spent time with.

Take a moment to appreciate what you have done, the work and sacrifice.

Forming a strong association soon after the race will help maintain your memories over the years. Pulling the box of medals out once in a while will help maintain those memories for you.

The end of a race can be a highly emotional time. I’ve teared up at the finish line on Boylston street a few times, and it wasn’t from pain!

Baystate, PR, marathonI’ll always remember when Mike Hartin met me at the finish line at The Bay State Marathon a few years ago. I was in tough shape and disappointed with my run. He probably spent two minutes with me but he literally gave me the physical support I needed to get through the finish area and gave me a pep talk along the way.

Just envisioning that medal brings back so many memories.

We don’t get medals at every race, but as runners we are lucky to have these symbols to help us recall some amazing times.

Here are five of my favorite running medals

boston marathon medals, award frame

This is my first Boston Marathon medal from 2003. They were a lot smaller and simpler back then.

I recall so many memories from this first marathon. Way too many for this brief post.

My favorite is when I was on Boylston Street with the finish line in sight. I was in tough shape and totally focused on getting to that finish line.

Then beside me a little voice called out “Hi Daddy!” I looked over and saw my 8-year old daughter running next to me. I was so shocked I felt like I almost fell over.

I took her hand and we ran across the finish line together. Talk about a cherished memory!

Running medals
This medal is from my first race ever. It was the Massachusetts Law Enforcement Memorial Half Marathon.

The race took place in Wakefield and began in the office park on Lake Quannapowitt.

I recall standing next to the lake as a frigid wind blew across the ice and through my nylon running shorts and cotton t-shirt. I had my first starting line conversation with a cute runner about her running shoe collection.

I learned a lot of lessons that day that you can only learn from running a race. This medal helps me recall some of the moments from my first race ever.

Boston Marathon 2016, favorite running medals

Well, this one is hanging backwards around my neck. It’s my finisher’s medal from the 2016 Boston Marathon.

The memories are freshest from this race. I ran for FamilyAid Boston and ran with a few of my team mates at different parts of the race. Being part of a team supporting an important organization added meaning to my training and the race it self.

With this medal I recall all of my fundraisers and people who donated and helped me train.

I’ll always recall my volunteer time at the BAA number hand-out on Sunday night with fellow MRC members. I can also recall the bus ride to Hopkinton and hanging out before the race with my friend Don Keren.

 

favorite race medals, ras na heirnann 5k

This medal is from the Ras Na Heirnann 5K held annually in Davis Square, Somerville.

I’m not sure which year this is, but I love the art work. They use the same art on the race shirts and they look awesome.

I usually run this race with friends, so I have many good memories from the race and hanging out afterwards.

This is one of my favorites more for the art work than anything else. Not that we didn’t have fun, it’s just a very well done medal.

 

bay of fundy marathon medals, favorite race medals

This photograph was provided by The Bay of Fundy Marathon. The medal is in the shape of a sea urchin shell and created by local craftsman, Richard Klyver.

This medal is from the 2014 race.

The race begins and ends in Lubec Maine, which is probably the smallest town I’ve ever run any race out of.

This race holds many great memories. I went with my big sister and we got to spend some all to rare time together.

We met some of her friends from work and her town, totally unexpected. The people were so friendly and welcoming, I wanted to move there!

We also met a physics student from Heidelberg who was doing a summer exchange program at Brandeis University. He needed a ride back to Boston and word got around that we were headed that way.

He had never run a marathon before so several of us did our best to prep him the night before the race. Fortunately he had done some running, had the right shoes and was very young.

The chance encounters just kept blowing us away. I’d love to run this race again, but I just know the second time will never come close to the first time.

I truly cherish the memories from this race. It was a special moment in time.

Your Favorite Running Medals

You’ve seen a few of my favorites. What about you? Do you have a medal that brings a smile to your face or a tear to your eye?

Most days are not commemorated the way a race day is. Medals are strong symbols of a day in your life and what you accomplished that day.

Many of mine have been framed, many more have not. Even though I sell frames, only the special medals get framed. There is only so much wall space.

Framing your medals is the best way to protect them and keep them from getting lost. If you do not frame your medals, put each one in a sandwich bag and keep them in a marked box.

If you have a special medal that you would like to frame and protect, please check out my Frame Shop HERE.

Tell us about your favorite medal and I’ll post it on a future post.

Run Well my Friends!

Andy

Medal Framing

Have a great medal that you want to frame?

Bring your favorite medal to the Melrose YMCA Friday from 2 to 7pm at the number pickup or Saturday morning before the Melrose Spooky Sprint 5K.

I will frame your running medal for $29.95 and donate $5.00 for each frame to the Melrose YMCA.

I can frame your medal while you wait*, or you can pick it up Saturday at the race.

I will also be selling My First 5K medals Friday night and Saturday morning before the race. If you are running with your kids they will be thrilled to get a medal and be part of the awards ceremony after the race!

All proceeds from the sales of My First 5K medals go to support programs at the Melrose YMCA.

medal display,frames,frame, #first5k

1st 5k medal, First 5k medalYour kids will love this medal. This is a high quality medal minted by one of America’s leading medal companies. This is not a trinket, it’s a real medal that you and your kids will be proud of for years.

Who knows, it may inspire them to go trick-or-treating as a runner with their medal around their neck!

Help fund programs at the Melrose YMCA and help inspire the next generation to get out there and run! Be a true hero!

* medals will be framed while you wait if time permits.

 

 

Running Towards My Goals

Goals and Commitments

My New Year’s Commitment for 2014 was to run 1,000 miles. As of October 22nd I have achieved 880 running miles. With all of November and December to go, plus another week left in October, I’m confident that I will be able to achieve my goal of 1,000 miles.

This week I saw Dave McGillivray speak. He said that he likes to set goals and keep checking them off. The list never goes away it just keeps changing as goals are accomplished and new goals are set.

The 505Ksat50 project

The day I turned 50 I went out for an 8 mile run at lunch time. What a gift to my self. It felt great and it made me feel great to be turning 50. Several times during that day people at work asked what I was going to do for my birthday. I told them I gave my self a run for my birthday.

I also told them that the BAA gave me 5 extra minutes to qualify for the Boston Marathon. What a day! They were thinking more along the lines of a lavish dinner or something.

50 is a big deal and it isn’t. I have to keep reminding my self that I just turned 50 and not 40. I feel 40. I probably look 50.

50 is a big deal because I am half-way to my goal. I want to live to be 100. I know that’s a big goal, but why not? I think it’s a great goal. Maybe I’ll only make it to 90 or 95. That’s still pretty good.

To celebrate turning 50 and to help me towards my ultimate goal in life, I decided to do something running related. Why not?

For 2014 I committed to 1,000 miles. I knew I couldn’t do 50,000 miles or even 5,000 miles.

I decided that my new goal is to run 50 5Ks before I turn 51. My hash tag is #505Ksat50. Gotta have a hash tag these days.

Simple math indicates that I need to run one 5K almost every week of the next year. In the six weeks since I turned 50, I’ve run 3 5Ks. I’m running behind already. Par for the course!

I’ve signed up for three more 5Ks over five weeks, and it looks like I need to find a few more.

An Extra Twist

My little business (Omni Running) features medals for first time 5K runners. I’m selling medals at two 5K races that I have run in the past. If I’m running my table and putting medals around runner’s necks at the race, I can’t very well also run the race.

I know that there are people out there who have never run a 5K before who can run one faster than me. I can’t have them waiting at the finish line for me.

If my business continues to grow it may be very challenging to get in my 50 5Ks. Accomplishing both goals this year will be the real challenge.

Run well my friends,

Andy